Care home extension plans are thrown out Proposal included extra accomodation and sports pitches
27.04.2018 A children’s charity’s plans to extend its home for vulnerable youngsters has hit the buffers after proposals were pulled.
The Good Shepherd Centre wants to build extra residential accommodation on greenbelt land near its Bishopton base.
But the application has been kicked out after bosses were unable to provide full details on the development.
Fraser Carlin, head of planning and housing at Renfrewshire Council, revealed the decision in a letter to the cause.
He said: “I have not received the information requested and I am accordingly treating the application as having been withdrawn.”
Big Lottery funding has been used to commission a masterplan to overhaul the site. The Good Shepherd Centre runs an 18-bed secure unit for young people who have been referred through the courts or hearings system.
It lodged plans to create more housing and sports and training facilities at Greenock Road.
Managers want to open a football pitch, create a cafe and kitchen, boost office space and add accommodation for visiting families and a mental health unit.
More semi- independent housing would give older residents a taste of living alone and a skills academy would prepare them for work.
It would provide space to learn about construction, mechanics, engineering, decorating, beauty and media.
Chiefs say future expansion is key to helping those who have suffered difficulties in childhood to lead productive lives as adults.
They insisted those living nearby will benefit from extra facilities, which will be open to the public in a report to the local authority.
It stated: “There can be an argument that the creation of a housing facility, whilst satisfying housing need in terms of the Renfrewshire Council’s anticipations regarding numbers, it may also generate net economic benefit by affording protection to the existing staff and suppliers who currently are dependent upon the Good Shepherd Centre for their livelihood.
“The proceeds from the establishment of the residential area shall be directly utilised to assist in implementing the new developments within the centre itself.
“As such, it is considered that the proposals would be acceptable on the basis of a specific locational need in this instance.”
The Good Shepherd Centre was opened in 2006 and employs 139 workers.
Many of its residents have histories of emotional and physical neglect and have experienced physical or sexual abuse and exploitation.